Apple has released its iOS 8.1.3 update, and it fixes a host of issues thought to be an "annoyance" for iPhone users on iOS 8. The new update requires less storage for installation, giving iPhone users 5G of free space for updates.
Apple's iOS 8.1.3 carries a range of bug fixes: one for an issue that prevented some users from entering their Apple ID passwords for Messages and FaceTime, another for a bug that caused Spotlight to stop displaying app results, and a third fix for an issue preventing the iPad's multitasking gestures from appearing.
iOS 8.1.3, much like iOS 8.1.2, was a minor release that was not seeded to developers before being released to the public. The software is available immediately as an over-the-air download. Apple appears to be expanding its OS X employee testing program to iOS, and iOS 8.1.3 marks the first iOS beta that's been tested by retail workers. There are rumors that iOS 9 is also in testing, which means a release is imminent.
The Cupertino, California based tech giant followed on an update to iOS 8 after a class action suit was filed for not letting users know how much storage was required to install its software.
"We've been putting iOS 8.1.3 through the gauntlet over the past day or so and what we've found is a stable piece of software across most devices. We've posted iOS 8.1.3 impressions for the iPhone 6, Plus, iPhone, iPhone 5, iPad Air, iPad mini 2, iPad 3, iPod touch, and we've rounded up feedback from iPad 2and iPhone 4s users. What we, and many others have found, is that iOS 8.1.3 is a very stable update." Gottabemobile.com reported.
iOS 8.1.3 is a minor update that includes largely under-the-hood bug fixes, but Apple is also working on iOS 8.2, which will bring more drastic changes to the operating system as it contains both the WatchKit SDK and features that will allow the iPhone to integrate with the Apple Watch.
It is not clear when Apple plans to release iOS 8.2, but it could come alongside the launch of the Apple Watch, which is currently rumored to be in March.
